B-24D Liberator 41-23667 Assembly Ship of 93rd BG “Barber Bob / BALL OF FIRE”
“Ball of fire” was one of the brilliantly painted lead-ships, usually war-weary ex-bombers, on which the mighty wings and divisions of the 8th AF formed up before going to target.
Originally assigned to the 93rd Bomb Group in England, the B-24 Liberator, serial number 41-23677, nicknamed “Ball of Fire,” sustained significant damage after only five missions during the fall of 1942. Following repairs, it was repurposed for medical evacuation and target towing before being reassigned to the 93rd Bomb Group as an assembly aircraft based at RAF Hardwick.
To distinguish it, the plane was adorned with a striking paint scheme of alternating red, white, and gray stripes on its fuselage, resembling a barber pole, earning it the nickname “Barber Bob.” This distinctive pattern was complemented by similar stripes on the wings and tail sections. The aircraft’s unique appearance served as a clear identifier.
However, by September 1944, “Ball of Fire” was retired from service and ultimately scrapped in May 1945.